Are MLS teams experiencing a CONCACAF hangover?

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FRISCO, Texas – Seattle gave up the late goal to Portland last night, and the Sounders are taking a bigger drink from the cup of disappointment over the 1-1 draw. Drawing with a big rival will do that, you know.

Today in Texas, Houston gave up two first-half goals. On set-pieces, no less!

That’s the stuff of worlds spinning the wrong way. The Dynamo, with one of the best free kick and corner kick delivery men ever to wear an MLS shirt, have lived off set piece goals for years. So to see Dallas knock two past ‘keeper Tally Hall, one more or less from George John and one from a completely unmarked Andrew Jacobson, approaches “stunning.”

What do Seattle and Houston have in common? They both played in emotional CONCACAF Champions League matches during midweek.

They were emotional for different reasons; Houston lost its second leg in the quarterfinal series with Santos, absorbing the blow when they had gone into Torreon with high spirits and a one-goal lead. Seattle prevailed in its quarterfinal series with Tigres.

So it’s fair to at least ask the question: is there a Champions League hangover effect at work? Obviously, there’s a bit of a physical tax involved at some point, too.

Of course, all this factors into tonight’s Los Angeles derby; we’ll see what happens there, although the Galaxy should have plenty in the tank to deal with Chivas USA.

The Galaxy played in a Champions League quarterfinal, too, prevailing over Costa Rica’s Herediano.

By the way, the Houston Dynamo brought about two busloads of fans up I-45 for today’s contest. (Which is at halftime.) The stands are not full for today’s ESPN2 broadcast, but the place is certainly lively thanks to the supporters groups on both sides.

Cecilio Dominguez and Mateus Uribe each bagged a brace, and Renato Ibarra also scored as the tournament’s top team sauntered into and out of Costa Rica on Wednesday. Club America has been to seven CCL finals, and one every single one.

West Ham United will pay a visit to Dag & Red as part of the latter’s #SaveTheDaggers campaign, and the March 21 date will cost fans between $7 and $21 to see a top flight side at 6,000-seat Victoria Road.

“So please come on down to the Chigwell Construction Stadium for an additional night of football. Bring a friend, or two, or more and we can use the gate takings to help get us back on track,” reads a press release.

Dag & Red was founded in 1992 and climbed as high as League One in 2011, and plays just 2.5 miles from West Ham United’s training ground. Newcastle’s Matt Ritchie and Dwight Gayle are among Dag & Red alums in the Premier League.

It’s a terrific gesture from West Ham, and is even more impressive in the United States where the growing club game is increasingly cutthroat (especially between non-synced leagues).

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AS Roma manager Eusebio Di Francesco absolutely roasted his charges after i Lupi tossed aside a Cenzig Under-inspired lead to fall 2-1 at Shakhtar Donetsk in the first leg of their UEFA Champions League Round of 16 tie on Wednesday.

Di Francesco had praise for Edin Dzeko, who assisted Under’s goal, as well as goalkeeper Alisson, but was mostly enraged by his side.

4) “The difference was that in the first half we tried to hurt them while in the second we were looking to hold on – to what? I don’t know.”

— “To what? I don’t know” is hilarious. Di Francesco’s side has posted some serious wins this season, including killing off Chelsea 3-0 at home and coming back from 2-0 to draw the Blues at Stamford Bridge. He doesn’t preach sitting back.

3) “There were far too many schoolboy errors – even by players with a wealth of international experience.”

— Schoolboy errors!

2) “I saw two completely different teams out there today. There were lots of players I should have taken off after we conceded the first goal.”

— Again, one mistake by a number of players on Facundo Ferreyra is enough for Di Francesco. He’s not just happy to be here.

1) “I can’t imagine we’d get arrogant just because we’re winning an important game. It’s not as if Roma are used to reaching the final every year.”

— When you’re willing to essentially rip an entire club’s history — Roma’s been to just two UCL quarterfinals since losing the final to Liverpool in 1984 — you’re putting your footprints in new cement.

Salzburg’s two away goals in a draw feels like a one-goal lead, and the one-goal matches are especially interesting. In the case of Atalanta, 1-0 to the Serie A side could undo Michy Batshuayi‘s first leg heroics for BVB.